Gee Mail: Welcome to a new semester at WVU

Dear West Virginia University Students, Faculty and Staff,

Welcome to the start of a new semester. I am so excited to have you on campus and begin this new journey with you.

West Virginia’s own Homer Hickam, bestselling author and former NASA engineer, has called passion, planning and perseverance the three keys to success.

I agree that planning is vital. Whether you are a student, a faculty member or a staff member, your plan will form a strong foundation upon which you can build each day. And if you are not sure where to start, we have resources on campus, such as studentsuccess.wvu.edu, to help you gather your thoughts and develop a plan that puts you in pursuit of your goals.

Pursuing your passion is important, too. My first Gee Mail of the new academic year encourages you to get involved with the University. Join a new student organization that aligns with your interests. Take part in service to our University, our community and our state through various projects you can find at iServe. Become involved in Project 168 as a mentor and help students discover their potential. Being connected to one another through activities and service builds a stronger campus community.

Last, but not least, you must persevere to succeed. To our students, the best way to achieve this is to go to class! Be on time, do your assignments and get to know your professors. They are here to help you. The effort you put into your classwork and projects will directly relate to your future success.

And if you find yourself struggling, we have a variety of resources to help you. From tutoring to study groups to wellness activities, there are people here ready to help. You can find these resources and more at students.wvu.edu.

As the semester begins, I also encourage you to review the safety resources found at safety.wvu.edu. This resource can guide you to anything from fitness classes to substance abuse recovery and tobacco cessation programs to opportunities for stress management, leadership development and more. Through the site, you also can become a catalyst for campus safety by reporting any concerns you have regarding our living and learning environment.

So, let us begin this new semester with renewed enthusiasm and a commitment to do our best. Let us pursue our passions, plan for success and persevere toward a brighter future. And together, we will build a vibrant, caring and welcoming West Virginia University.

Let’s go.